It wasn’t as though Cindy and Toney Hines woke up one day and said, “Let’s start a pickle business.” Rather, Pawpaws Pickles was born during the pandemic.
“My husband started cooking to stay busy during the stay-at-home order,” Cindy Hines said. “He ended up making so many pickles that he bought a refrigerator just for them.”
In the years that followed, what started as a hobby turned into a full-fledged business as the husband-and-wife duo started selling their product at expos, pop-ups, and festivals; participating in all types of pitch competitions; and plugging into the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, which is led by the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and supported by partners including Doxa Development and the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC).
Through the hub, the pickle makers joined the Flint & Genesee Business Bridge; worked with the SBDC to create a solid business plan; sought guidance from hub employees to hone their grant applications; and ultimately secured a $10,000 Moving Flint Forward Small Business Grant, funded by General Motors. That grant funding went toward promo items and an automatic label machine.
“We make about 200 jars a week, so hand-labeling just wasn’t sustainable,” said Cindy Hines, noting her business produces six pickle varieties and two types of cha-cha, a type of Southern-style slaw. “This equipment writes directly on the glass. It’s been a game-changer for us.”
While Michigan leads the country in pickle production, Pawpaws sets itself apart by using all-natural ingredients and avoiding artificial preservatives, colors, and high-fructose corn syrup. The company’s name comes from Toney’s nickname, given to him by the couple’s nine grandchildren. Next up for the business? Exploring international markets.
“Pickles are having a moment — the market is growing,” said Cindy Hines. “There’s space for new players, and we respond to what the market wants.”
Hines said she has two key pieces of advice for other entrepreneurs in Genesee County: Sign up for every newsletter possible to stay informed about available resources and plug into the Support Hub.
“Dive in and ask questions,” Hines said. “That’s what (the hub) is there for. They take real joy in helping entrepreneurs succeed. Our success is their success.”
Get Plugged In
Pawpaws Pickles is one of over 400 individual businesses that the Small Business Support Hub has met with since its launch in 2023. Here are three ways you can plug in, too.
- Attend the Immerse Entrepreneurial & Small Business Summit on Sept. 25. This day-long event aims to uplift area small business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Check out GEN Launchpad, held the last Thursday of each month. Attendees can connect with members of Genesee Entrepreneurial Network (GEN), which range from financial institutions to higher ed, to learn how to grow their businesses.
- Complete the Small Business Support Hub intake form for a 1:1 meeting with a small business support team member.
Get started: DevelopFlintandGenesee.org/small-business-hub